I saw a video a while back that has become a fun part of our joking around in the household. A person was portraying the oldest sister addressing the younger siblings in a song (this portrayal of siblings had the kiddos loving it even more): I was right, I was right, everything I say is right. You’d be better off if you did what I said. I have no sympathy; you should have listened to me… I was right, I was right, I was right!
As a mom of five (four in the home), I have to go through clothes and sort out sizes pretty often. I’ve found that, as I fold laundry, if it’s too small or there are more holes than fabric, I’ll simply put it in the box for later donation or chuck it altogether. I came across some costume wings that had run their course, wouldn’t stay in place, and the straps liked to pinch little arms. Into the box they went!
Now, the key to the success of the donation box is to keep it out of sight so the kiddos don’t try to pull their treasures back out. It usually sits in my closet, but with the chaos of Christmas and basic rearranging, I made the mistake of leaving it out… and the four-year-old found her wings.
The other morning, she brought me the clothes she had picked out to wear… and had the wings to complete the ensemble. It’s all about accessorizing, isn’t it? I explained to her that she needed to stay out of my box and that the wings were in there because they didn’t fit. She produced a very good argument, as only a four-year-old can do, as to why I was wrong. So, I helped her get dressed and helped strap the wings on her back.
She lasted ten minutes.
As I helped her out of the wings, I asked if she still thought they fit and she responded in a way that most adults (including myself) could really learn from: No… you were right.
Of course, this had me break out into the I Was Right song, she started giggling and then started singing her own version in step with mine: I was wrong, I was wrong… and so on.
While it’s a sign of strength to be able to admit when you’re wrong, there is danger in staying there. How many times have you heard a pastor or a fellow believer state that they’re a sinner saved by grace? Here they are being honest about their struggles – they’re right – but they don’t even realize they’re latching onto an identity that doesn’t belong to them.
This has been something I’ve struggled with for some time: identity. I’m not talking about who I am as a wife or mother, a sister or a daughter. I don’t find myself questioning or doubting those, but I do struggle with my identity in Christ Jesus. It’s like I have the head knowledge, but the heart is hesitant to follow. It’s spelled out in scripture, my identity, but I’ve been fighting to trust it.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. II Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
This is one of my favorite verses (I have a lot of favorites) and it tells us that Jesus didn’t just take our sin, but He became it. He took the identity of sinner so that we could have the identity of righteous. It’s literally the great exchange and a covenantal truth. I once read that a Christian calling themselves sinner would be like calling Lazarus dead after Jesus called him back to life.
Yes, it’s true that we stumble and make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore what the resurrection provided. We should never take grace for granted, but we should also not cheapen its value by holding on to something that is no longer ours.
I’m so thankful that my identity is not compiled of my worst moments in the eyes of God. I was washed, sanctified, and justified – this was done in the past. That means that I should not be latching on to an identity that is no longer applicable to what He made me by the name of Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 6:11)
Being righteous means being in right standing with God. When He looks at you, He approves. This isn’t supposed to produce a prideful or arrogant attitude. Rather, it’s meant to give you peace and rest. Your new identity in Jesus provides you the ability to obey without fear driving you. Instead of fear, it’s the knowledge and gratitude of grace that drives you to obey.
Your identity is now that of Child of God – you’re a son or a daughter. You’re deeply loved and highly favored. You’re blessed and have been made whole. You’re clothed in righteousness. These are just a few of the identities that we’re to live from.
I will never tell anyone that grace gives anyone license to sin. In this world, we’re going to stumble and fall. I trip over my own stuff more often than I care to admit – if you’ve read any of my posts then you know I have my rough moments. Maturity isn’t instantaneous – growth takes time. But you’re not working toward holy – you were already made holy.
It’s time we (yes, me, too) recognize that calling ourselves sinners does not align with who God made us. It does not align with our identity. When we choose to stop berating ourselves – I messed up again, so this proves that I’m a sinner – when we focus on our identity Jesus died to give us, transformation will naturally follow. We won’t get stuck in the cycle of shame and defeat.
For all the times I know I’ll have to come back to this realization, that I’ve been holding on to an identity that isn’t mine, I want to have the response that my four-year-old had when she said good-bye to her wings. I want to be able to acknowledge that I was wrong and smile as I move forward. I don’t want to stay there, I don’t want to have shame cause me grief, and I don’t want to hide behind pride and act like I have it all together.
Take hold of the identity that Jesus paid dearly for – put on the new (Ephesians 4:20-24). You’re not a sinner saved by grace. You were a sinner, but now you’re the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And you know I’m right.